Help me choose a new preamp please?


Well here I go again. After three years of relative happiness with my system I couldn't let well enough alone. I had to sell my great sounding and reliable Air Tight ATC-1 preamp just because I had it too long and was getting bored. A terrible excuse I know. Anyway, I'm now a man without a plan, looking for a preamp, used, under $2K. Tubes are preferable but not essential, a balanced input would be nice (again not a dealbreaker), I don't need remote, an integral phono stage would be a bonus, and I guess that's it. I value a moderate amount of warmth but I also crave transparency. My system as it stands now is I think fairly warm, a Cary 303/200, Cary 300B Sig monos, and Alon Lotus speakers. A few thoughts, a Cary 98P would give me system synergy, BATs and CATs are also appealing, and I'm open to all other suggestions, fire away. And as always, thanks for taking an interest.
jond

Showing 2 responses by sogood51

Jond

I think you will find the Mantissa to be an outstanding pre-amp, transparent with a moderate amount of warmth. It is also..DEAD QUIET.

The 6DJ8 tubes have the most effect on it's sound should you roll some tubes. I have liked Siemens E88CC and Amperex 7308's in mine.

Dave
I have an Audioprism Mantissa, this is a very good tube pre-amp. There is an upgraded one for sale here on Audiogon.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1089127763

Note: I don't know the seller

Dave